Croatian boxer Filip Hrgović targets America next on road to world title challenge

ZAGREB, 11 December 2018 – On Saturday night in Zagreb, Croatia’s number one boxer Filip Hrgović defended his WBC title with a unanimous points win over American Kevin Johnson.

Hrgović, who landed around 800 punches during his victory over Johnson, is now 7-0 with 5 KOs in his professional career.

The Croatian is now ranked in the top ten with the WBA and also holds World rankings with the WBC and WBO. Hrgović believes, like many experts in the sport, that he has the goods to one day become the heavyweight champion.

Hrgović is being positioned for a World title fight which could come as early as next year.

Hrgović in action against Johnson (Photo: Maja Both/Team Sauerland)

Hrgović says he knows he can match it now with the likes of Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, but first awaits more lead-up fights.

The 26-year-old has prepared for his last two fights in training camps in Miami after hooking up with renowned Cuban coach Pedro Diaz and after a well-earned break, Hrgović is eyeing up his next fight to be in America.

“It is up to my promoter, I have always said I will fight wherever against whoever. The plan for the next fight is in March or April. It is easier for Americans to accept fights against me in America than for them to come to Croatia. There have already been fighters who have agreed to fight me but have pulled out after seeing my fights. I am young and I have not had lots of fights, but on the other hand, I am very dangerous. Boxers who fight me cannot gain much, but they can lose a lot if they are defeated,” Hrgović told RTL.

Hrgović, who is an Olympic medalist, signed a 5-year deal last year with European powerhouse promoter Team Sauerland.

“We have a plan in place that will take Filip to the top of the heavyweight division, which is the pinnacle of the sport of boxing,” said promoter Nisse Sauerland, of Team Sauerland. “Not only can he become one of the biggest names in Croatian sporting history, but also a global superstar.”

Hrgović in training camp in Miami (Photo: Instagram)

Hrgović will take a few weeks off now over Christmas to freshen up after a busy schedule in 2018 which saw him fight five times.

“My next fight is going to be against a tougher opponent so I need to go into my training camp fresh,” he said.